Banknote adapted to form a magnetic money clip

ABSTRACT

A magnetic money clip is provided having a paper substrate, which may be a real banknote, connecting two or more magnetic components to create a low-cost, thin, soft magnetic vise-like mechanism. The user can simply peel back the substrate to open the magnetic vise-like mechanism to insert or remove one or more banknotes. The user then folds the substrate back onto itself to close and secure the remaining banknote(s).

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is based on and claims priority to Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/196,006, filed Oct. 14, 2008 and entitled “A BANKNOTE ADAPTED TO FORM A MAGNETIC MONEY CLIP”, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated hereby by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a magnetic money clip employing a paper banknote (or other form of durable paper) as the connective substrate linking two or more magnetic components to provide a unique and intuitive money clipping utility.

2. Background

Magnetic money clips are used to keep paper money organized within a magnetic vise-like mechanism, offering a greater carrying capacity than that of a stiff and unforgiving metal money clip. Conventional money clips are generally comprised of one or more bulky leather substrates sized substantially smaller than the banknotes it is designed to hold. Magnetic components are placed at opposing ends of the substrate(s). The substrate is then folded at its center to create a vise-like clipping mechanism thereby doubling the device's profile. Small bulky magnetic money clips are awkward to handle and do not fit well in tight pockets. Current magnetic money clip assemblies fail to provide the user with an inexpensive, thin, soft, pliable, low-profile, easy-to-grab, and forgiving means of keeping paper money organized on-the-go.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is a general object of the present invention to provide a magnetic money clip that avoids the drawbacks of prior magnetic money clips.

More, specifically, it is an object of the present invention to provide a magnetic money clip that is an inexpensive, thin, soft, pliable, low-profile, easy-to-grab, and forgiving means of keeping paper money on-the-go.

These and other objects of the invention are achieved by a magnetic money clip comprising one or more paper substrates and a coupled set of magnetic components. Means are provided to secure the magnetic components to the one or more substrates.

In accordance with one aspect of the invention, a magnetic money clip is provided having a connective paper substrate possessing the same size, shape and feel of a real banknote to provide a unique and intuitive money clipping utility. Two magnetically paired stickers are affixed to the paper substrate.

Employing a real banknote as a connective paper substrate adds to the minimalist appeal. That is, the idea of clipping money with money and disguising the money clip as a banknote offers additional value as a novelty. The money clipping mechanism essentially disappears into the wad of cash, creating a bankroll that appears well-behaved without additional apparatus. The use of a real banknote as the paper substrate also provides the device with improved durability and mechanical performance over current magnetic money clips. Banknote paper is known to for its strength and durability. Its formula is considered a governmental secret. Although, banknote paper is more durable than paper found in the public domain, the current invention can be realized by employing alternative paper with mechanical characteristics similar to that of banknote paper.

As used herein, the term “magnetic components” shall refer to any and all materials that possess magnetic properties including carbon steel, all materials that contain iron and non-metallic magnets made from organic polymers such as PANiCNQ, which is a combination of emeraldine-based polyaniline (PANi) and tetracyanoquinodimethane (TCNQ).

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The various features, functions and advantages characterizing the invention will be better understood by reference to the detailed description which follows, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. It should be understood that the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale and that, unless otherwise indicated, they are merely intended to conceptually illustrate the structures and procedures described herein. In the drawings, wherein like reference characters denote similar elements throughout the several views:

FIG. 1 is a front plan view of one of two magnetically paired stickers constructed in accordance with an illustrative embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a side view of the magnetic sticker of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a longitudinal lavational view of the magnetic sticker of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a plan view of two magnetically paired stickers affixed to a ONE dollar bill;

FIG. 5 is perspective view of the top of one of two magnetically paired stickers constructed in accordance with an illustrative embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of the bottom of one of two magnetically paired stickers constructed in accordance with an illustrative embodiment of the present invention

FIG. 7 is a plan view of the ONE dollar bill with magnetic stickers of FIG. 4 folded to create a magnetic money clip; and

FIGS. 8-11 are elevation views of magnetically paired stickers attached to a paper substrate illustrating various configurations of magnetic components.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring now to the drawings and, in particular, to FIGS. 1-5, there is shown one of two magnetically paired stickers 10 constructed in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention. The magnetic sticker 10 contains a neodymium disc magnet 12 measuring 0.8 mm thick and 12 mm in diameter embedded in a fabric reinforced label 14 having a pressure sensitive adhesive backing 16. The label 14 has been die-cut to shape and embossed to create a corporate logo 18 and cavity 20 in which the magnet 12 sits.

Referring to FIG. 6, two of the magnetically paired stickers 10 are attached to a substrate, which, in a preferred embodiment, is a real paper banknote, such as a ONE dollar bill 22. In the case where the substrate is a banknote, such as the bill 22, the adhesive backing 16 is of a type such that the stickers 10 may be removed from the bill 22 without any damage thereto. An appropriate adhesive is duct tape. An appropriate epoxy may also be used.

FIG. 7 shows the dollar bill 22 (and stickers) of FIG. 4 folded at its center to create a magnetic money clip 24 with magnetic vise-like mechanism. Banknotes can be placed between the folded magnetic ends. The user can easily peel back the dollar bill substrate 22 when removing the secured banknotes. The user can handle the magnetic clip 24 as if it were any other dollar bill in the wad of cash.

FIG. 8 shows two magnetically paired stickers 26 and 28 attached to a paper substrate 30. The stickers 26 and 28 contain magnets 32 and 34, respectively. The magnets 32 and 34 are oriented with opposite poles facing inward (NS or SN) to create the attractive vise-like magnetic mechanism. This configuration offers a self centering feature as the two magnets 32 and 34 center themselves on each other to give a perfectly symmetric close every time even when carelessly flipped.

FIG. 9 shows one magnet 36 that can be oriented with either its North or South face exposed to a steel plate 38 of the opposing end of the paper substrate 40. This configuration offers the lowest cost to manufacture. It does not provide the self centering feature offered by the configuration in FIG. 8. It does however substantially cap the magnet's magnetic field as the magnetic field of the magnet 36 does not penetrate through the steel plate 38 in the closed position.

FIG. 10 shows two (2) steel plates 42 and 44 arranged to cap the magnetic field of a magnet 46 when the device is in the closed position. The magnet 46 is attracted to the steel plate 42 attached to the opposite end of the paper substrate 48. The steel plate 44 effectively strengthens magnet 46 by focusing its magnetic field in the direction of steel plate 42 on the opposite end of the paper substrate 48. This configuration offers a magnetic field capping function in both directions when in the closed position. But, it does not feature the self-centering effect had by the configuration shown in FIG. 8.

FIG. 11 shows two (2) steel plates 50 and 52 arranged to cap the magnetic fields of two magnets 54 and 56 when in the closed position. The magnets 54 and 56 are oriented with opposite poles facing inward (either NS or SN). This configuration offers both the bi-directional magnetic field capping feature had by the configuration of FIG. 10 and the self-centering feature had by FIG. 8.

Among the advantages and features of the present invention, in addition to those already noted, are the following:

-   -   1. the magnetic money clip has the same size and feel as the         cash it holds;     -   2. one could potentially use the money clip as currency when low         on cash as the stickers are removable with no harm to the         banknote;     -   3. the banknote may be of any denomination (e.g., 5, 10, 20, 50,         and $100);     -   4. subject to compliance with the laws of the EEC, can be made         from Euro banknotes to hold Euro banknotes;     -   5. each bill has its own unique United States serial number;     -   6. prevents lower back pain caused by bulky wallets and bulky         magnetic money clips;     -   7. subject to compliance with the laws of the issuing country,         obsolete paper currency such as the lire can be used as the         paper substrate; and     -   8. can be sold as a DIY (Do It Yourself) kit (with two         magnetically paired stickers) or as an assembled magnetic money         clip (a dollar bill with the two stickers already attached).

It should be noted that the use of banknotes as substrates in accordance with the present invention, is subject to the laws of the country issuing the currency. For example, in the United States according to present law, it is illegal to deface currency in such a way that it is made unfit for circulation (Title 18, Section 333 of the United States Code). Since the present invention uses an adhesive that allows the bill to be removed without any damage, the bill is fit for circulation and, therefore, use of the invention with a U.S banknote fully complies with U.S. law.

While this invention has been illustrated and described in accordance with preferred embodiments of the present invention, it is recognized that variations and changes may be made therein. Thus, for example, while the illustrative embodiments shown and described herein have employed a real one-dollar bill as the paper substrate, a substrate made of ordinary paper is within the scope of the present invention. It is also possible to attach the magnetic components between two sheets of paper (two paper substrates) or two banknotes. 

1. A magnetic money clip comprising: one or more paper substrates; a coupled set of magnetic components; and means to secure the magnetic components to the one or more substrates.
 2. The magnetic money clip according to claim 1, wherein the securing means removably attach the magnetic components to the one or more substrates.
 3. The magnetic money clip according to claim 1, wherein the substrate is a real paper banknote and the securing means are removable with no harm to the substrate.
 4. The magnetic money clip according to claim 2, wherein the coupled set of magnetic components comprise two thin neodymium disc magnets.
 5. The magnetic money clip according to claim 2, wherein the coupled set of magnetic components comprise one neodymium rare earth disc magnet and one thin plate of carbon steel.
 6. The magnetic money clip according to claim 2, wherein the coupled set of magnetic components comprise one neodymium rare earth disc magnet and two thin plates of carbon steel arranged in such a way so as to have the two steel plates magnetically cap the neodymium magnet when the clip is in the closed position.
 7. The magnetic money clip according to claim 2, wherein the coupled set of magnetic components comprise two neodymium rare earth disc magnet and two thin plates of carbon steel arranged in such a way so as to have the two steel plates magnetically cap the two neodymium magnets when the clip is in the closed position.
 8. A magnetic money clip comprising: a paper substrates; and a set of magnetic components removably attached to the substrate at spaced locations.
 9. The magnetic money clip according to claim 8, wherein the substrate is a real paper banknote.
 10. The magnetic money clip according to claim 9, wherein the coupled set of magnetic components comprise two thin neodymium disc magnets.
 11. The magnetic money clip according to claim 9, wherein the coupled set of magnetic components comprise one neodymium rare earth disc magnet and one thin plate of carbon steel.
 12. The magnetic money clip according to claim 9, wherein the coupled set of magnetic components comprise one neodymium rare earth disc magnet and two thin plates of carbon steel arranged in such a way so as to have the two steel plates magnetically cap the neodymium magnet when the clip is in the closed position.
 13. The magnetic money clip according to claim 9, wherein the coupled set of magnetic components comprise two neodymium rare earth disc magnet and two thin plates of carbon steel arranged in such a way so as to have the two steel plates magnetically cap the two neodymium magnets when the clip is in the closed position.
 14. A magnetic money clip comprising: a paper substrates; a pair of fabric carriers; a set of magnetic components held respectively by the pair of fabric carriers; and means to secure the pair of fabric carriers to the substrate at spaced locations.
 15. A kit for forming a magnetic money clip, comprising: a set of magnetic components; and a pair of fabric carriers for respectively receiving and holding the set of magnetic components.
 16. A kit for forming a magnetic money clip according to claim 15, further comprising means for attaching the fabric carriers to a paper substrate at spaced locations to form the money clip. 